Sales at John Clark rise 10% amid expansion

Deputy Business Editor

Tuesday 25 September 2012

JOHN Clark Motor Group has reported record sales after a 10% rise from £280.6 million to £307.8m.

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GREIG CAMERON DEPUTY BUSINESS EDITOR

The family-owned company said it had seen a particularly strong market in Aberdeen and Dundee, which helped pre-tax profits rise almost 23% from £3.1m to £3.8m in 2011.

New vehicle sales also reached a record 7049, up 19% from the 5901 recorded in 2010, with the the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series proving the most popular models.

Used vehicle sales showed more modest growth, up 1.4% from 5955 to 6041.In 2011 a Skoda franchise and commercial vehicle centre was added in Dundee, while the Thomson and Potter Skoda dealership near Perth was acquired.Those investments led to employee numbers ticking up from 679 to 708, although further additions in 2012 mean the workforce now numbers more than 750. John Clark, chairman and managing director, said: "Our aim for 2011 was to build on the momentum in 2010. Despite continuing difficult trading conditions, we have succeeded and much of that can be credited to the hard work and dedication of our dealership teams. Although vehicle sales make up 85% of turnover the business said it had also seen growth across its service, body repair and parts operations."A £6m Land Rover dealership on the outskirts of Edinburgh and a Nissan site in Aberdeen opened this year. Mr Clark said sales in 2012 are around 15% up and net profit is ahead of the same period in 2011.He added: "Despite our major investment outlays, with sustained focus on working capital controls we again generated a positive year-end bank balance and we retain a highly supportive relationship with our funding partners. "They have confirmed their support for our strategic objectives, including further expansion as and when the right opportunities arise. We are always open to consider potential opportunities presented to us by other franchises."The company sells BMW, Mini, Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda, Seat, Nissan and Land Rover vehicles from 18 sites across Scotland.

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Sales at John Clark rise 10% amid expansion

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